D3 Metz 54 MZ - 4i off camera TTL?

[Clive Murray-White]

Hi, as my title suggests, I'm trying to find the way to use my Metz off camera but retain TTL, ideally I'd like a sync set up as much a 5metres.

Any ideas?

Regards to all Clive

[bill]

Hello Clive, and welcome.

I cannot speak for the D3, but for other Leica cameras - M6TTL, M7, M8, and the R-series, the pin configuration is identical to that of Nikon (that doesn't mean that the pins do the same things!) This means that you can use Nikon off camera extension cords such as the SC-17 to do what you are after. I have certainly used the SC-17 myself, but I don't know if there are longer cables.

Regards,

Bill

[wparsonsgisnet]

I don't know about the D3, either. The M8 will NOT do TTL. If the D3 does not offer this, you will probably have the alternative of GNC.

This involves a pre-flash with which the camera figures out what the flash needs to be, followed by the actual flash.

I happen to prefer Auto to this because subjects seems to lose interest in a photo following a pre-flash.

[Clive Murray-White]

Thanks Bill & Bill,

I'm not sure about this but I think the D3, because its 4/3, has a different SCA 3xxx adapter to all other Leicas. Pre-flash isn't a problem for me because I'm taking pictures of large marble sculptures in my workshop, and they don't react like people!

It would be nice to find someone with D3 or even L1 experience on this subject.

All the best thanks again Clive

[robsteve]

Clive:

If you are shooting static subjects such as your sculptures, you can probably look into wireless remotes and just put the metz on manual and dial down the power level or set the camera aperture so you get proper exposure. Since you are shooting with a digital, you have the benefit of instant feedback to see if you have set the flash correctly.

I use pocket wizards, but there are cheaper solutions.

Regards,

Robert

[Photon42]

the only way I know is TTL sync cable + Metz shoe. If you shot static objects, you can get around with manual flash setup as well. Then you can use older cheap flashes plus wireless triggers (SU-4 or something similar from Wein etc.).

I have a 54 4i and besides being still happy with it, I find it best in A or M mode. The iTTL for instance does not work in commander mode, and a slave cell isn't build in. You can buy a slave shoe from Metz, but then you loose TTL With the M8 + Leica adapter, it is less reliable than the A mode and you cannot do power adjustments.

Regards
Ivo

[Clive Murray-White]

Thanks everybody - I took the cheap option and bought a 6 metre cable etc rigged it all up in the workshop, set the Metz on M and am completely happy with my first results. I think it is fair to add that I also made a fairly substantial diffuser to soften the light.

Thanks again Clive

[karlitos]

There is a solution, metz produce an off-camera lead whcich will retain TTL. I think the one you want is an SCA 3008A (I might stand corrected) They do exist however, as I have used them myself.

Karlitos

[karlitos]

Originally Posted by Clive Murray-White

Hi, as my title suggests, I'm trying to find the way to use my Metz off camera but retain TTL, ideally I'd like a sync set up as much a 5metres.

Any ideas?

Regards to all Clive

Scrub the last post I should have read the OP more carefully 'cos the 3008 isn't 5m long. Sorry.

[jannec]

D3, manufactured by Panasonic modeling Olympus, uses Olympus configuration. So you need SCA 3202-M5 + TTL Off-Camera Cord for Olympus. I hope this helps.